Willford University

ᗯᘮ - Chapter 56

Questions

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kunot-noo kong tanong kay Smith.

"Please challenge the seat. We can't let just anyone sit on the queen's seat." She pleaded.

"You do know I am one of those 'anyone' you speak of, right? I am not a sophomore. I am a transferee. Bakit ako?" Gulo kong tanong.

Tinitigan kong mabuti si Smith at mukhang nahihirapan siyang sumagot sa tanong ko. I bet she agrees with me. I am well aware that I am not someone important in this university kaya naman sobrang nakakapagtaka na bigla silang lalapit sa akin at sasabihing i-challenge ko ang queen's seat.

"Hiro?" Tanong ko. "I am pretty sure this is your idea, just why?" I asked, my jaw clenching.

Bago niya pa ibukas ang bibig niya ay pinutol ko iyon at nagsalita muli, "don't tell me this is because of that girl again, huh?" Galit kong sabi.

"I told you, Hiro. I am not her. Stop pestering just because I remind you of her. I am not her." Pag-uulit ako.

"Alam kong napipilitan ka lang, Smith. Don't even bother. I am not interested in that queen seat." Huli kong sabi bago ako umalis doon.

Maya-maya pa ay tumunog ang broascast at nagsalita ang dean na within 5 minutes, dapat nandoon na kami lahat sa center. Napabuntong-hininga ako at pumunta na roon.

"Topaz? Bakit ka nakasimangot?" Tanong ni Caleb.

"I have lot in my mind." I sighed.

"Olivia, what would you do if you were asked by the royalties to challenge that queen's seat?" Mahina kong tanong sa kanya.

"What?" She asked, narrowing her eyes. "Well, I did say na hindi ako interesado sa seat but if the royalties asked me themselves then I'd think about it with Jack." Kibit balikat niyang sabi.

"Are they really that powerful to make you think twice?" Titig ko sa kanya.

"Yes, they are." Sagot niya at lumapit na muli kay Jack dahil umakyat na rin ang dean sa platform.

"Willfordians, this will be a short announcement. The challenge for the queen's seat will still happen. You are not required to challenge but I encourage everyone to do so. Today will be a rest day for everyone. We will give time to the female winners to think about their decision for the whole day. Tomorrow at 6am, the breakfast will start and by 8am, the battle will begin. Dismissed." Taas noong sabi niya bago umalis.

"A rest day. Finally! Makakapagpahinga for tomorrow. Mauna na ako. Matutulog ako. Gosh, I'm so tired." Sabi ni Annica at nagpa-alam na sa amin.

Nagpa-alam kami pabalik sa kanya at naghiwa-hiwalay na rin kami.

Napakunot ako ng noo nang may maramdaman akong sumusunod sa likod ko. Pagkalingon ko ay si Smith iyon. Bumuntong hininga ako, "Smith, a no is a no. Don't even bother." Sabi ko at iniwan na siya roon.

I know it's not the right to say that it is funny but that's what I am saying. A royalty like her could actually beg someone like me just to challenge the seat. Kahit alam kong si Hiro lang naman ay may idea noon. I can't believe Hiro will use the empress to beg someone. Why won't he beg for himself? Siya naman ang may gusto.

I can't believe that guy.

Napatingin ako sa paligid ko at nakita ang mga matataas na puno. Pumasok ako sa forest kung saan nangyari ang first task. Ang bilis ng panahon. Kung dati ay naninibago kami sa mga members namin, ngayon ay tapos na lahat ng task.

Inaabangan na lang ng lahat ang laban bukas. Everyone is really looking forward to it. Of course, whoever wins will have the power. Willfordians are very excited to witness this very important event.

Napatigil ako bigla nang may narinig ako kaluskos. Agad kong inikot ang tingin ko sa paligid. I'm pretty sure I heard someone.

"Sinong nandyan?" Kunot noo kong tanong pero walang sumagot.

Nagsimula ulit ako sa paglakad pero tinalasan ko ang aking pakiramdam. Ramdam ko ang tingin ng kung sino man iyon. Hindi ko man alam kung nasaan siya mismo ay nararamdaman kong malapit at nakamasid siya sa akin.

Maya-maya pa ay nakaramdam ako ng kung ano. I could feel a killer's intent. Nag-igting ang panga ko at agad iniwas ang aking katawan sa direksyon ng dagger. How did I know? I was finally able to see the face of my attacker.

Napangisi ito sa akin bago tinago ang dagger niya.

"Ms. Willford?" Nagtataka kong tanong. What is she doing here?

"Monteverde, if I am not mistaken?" Tanong niya at napatango na lamang ako.

"I heard you're not interested with the queen's seat. Why is that?" Nalito ako lalo sa kanyang tanong.

"And why are you asking me about it? I'm pretty sure knowing the students' business isn't the dean's job." Taas kilay kong tanong. I didn't mean to be rude but the question is weird especially that it's coming from her, the dean of the university.

"I know what you're up to, Topaz. You think I won't notice?" Ngiti niya sa akin. Napatitig ako sa kanya. The scar on her face still scares me for some reason.

Tsaka, ano bang sinasabi niya? She knows what I am up to? Does she mean about solving the mysteries of this university? But that is almost impossible, ako lang ang nakaka-alam noon. I am not doing anything obvious para niya malaman iyon.

"What are you talking about?"

"You want to know more, right? Challenge the queen's seat. A lot of questions will be answered." Sabi niya.

"You're smart, Topaz. Use it well." Huli niyang sabi bago siya umalis.

Dahil sa sinabi niya ay nakapagisip-isip ako. May point siya. Napakagat ako ng labi at napatingin sa naglalakad na Ms. Margarette palayo sa akin. How did she know about the questions I have?

Should I really challenge the seat?

Yeah, I think I should.

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